I herniated C5 in 1994. Had a disectomy that year. Had disectomy and laminectomy 1995. 1999, had 2 level bone fusion, C5-C7, with donor bone.
Pain numbness getting worse lately. Had new MRI, can anyone explain results to me?
There is a fusion at the level of C5, C6, C7. There is slight decrease in the intervertebral disc heights and hydrations at the level of C2, C3, C4, C5 and C7-T1. There is right paracentral disc material herniation seen at the level of C4-C5 with slight effacement of the anterior thecal sac and slight enroachment upont the right neural foramen.
Does this make any sense to anyone and is it as serious as it sounds?
Oh man, from your MRI it looks like the Disc directly above your fusion is starting to go. If it presses on the Foramin it will close the space and press on the nerve and cause pain or weakness and or all of the above along with possible numbness across the top upper arm and shoulder on the side it is herniated. I would be very careful about my posture and especially simple things like brushing your teeth, doing dishes or anything that puts additional "forward head" posture strain. You don't want that disc to get worse.
Everything in the neck is serious. I have a 3 level problem and fusion scares me big time. I have read that the proceedures from the back of the neck have a much smaller chance of adjacent disc degeneration. According to a study by Neurosurgeons at Stanford University over a 10 year period the incidence of adjacent disc problems is 2.9% per year and about 25% over a 10 years period.
Hopefully you will be able to correct what is causing the c4/5 herniation before it gets so bad it too requires more fusion. Crazy as this sounds if you can wait it out, you may be able to get an artificial disc at that level in a year or two - which may help stop ajacent disc problems.
The good news is the disc below your fusion seems to still be good... but it is more protected in your body. Again I'd be very careful about activites that put your neck in a stress position. And that includes driving. Get a lumbar support for your car. Pushing your lumbar curve into the correct position helps you keep your neck in the correct position. Most of us are not aware we have a head forward position until it is too late - then you really have to be careful and aware of how you sit, sleep, drive, eat, etc.
And pain is an issue. The only comfortable position for me is head down, chin touching chest. Which I know is not a good sign! But it actually feels good.
Well, I live in Key West, FL. and no specialists down here......not really any good medical care down here. Usually, because I have other major medical problems, I go to west Ft. Lauderdale to the Cleveland Clinic...a branch of main Ohio center. I have seen and been traeted by their neurology dept, the vascular dept, cardiology and immunology.
This coming Wed, I have appt there to see Neurosurgeon that specializes in complex spinal surgery with implementation. It is 4 hours each way but my best friend is going to drive. We will be leaving Tuesday afternoon and staying in mote there for two nights. So, when I get home Thursday, I will post how it went.
There is a place in DeFuniak Springs FL (wherever that is) called MicroSpine which specializes in minimally invasive surgeries. I run across them online all the time, I have no idea how good they are. I guess you could check out the doctors on healthgrades. I keep asking the Surgeons I consult with about these "minimally invasive" proceedures and they are not very hot on them (Means they kind of shrug them off). But it might be worth investigating down the road. My thinking is that if you are already fused and they can just clip off or cut out the offending portion of the disc and stop the pain it's better than another fusion. At least that way you are not damaging yet another disc (i.e. c 3/4).
I saw the Neurosurgeon and was really impressed with spine clinic at Cleveland Clinic Weston and the staff. Lo and Behold, the first neurosurgeon I met with a personality!!
Blessedly, surgery is not indicated for me at this time.
So, I came home to Key West, happy and am sitting and waiting to be blown away by hurricane. LOL
making sense of MRI 
Re: making sense of MRI 
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